Writing Strong Body Paragraphs

Thesis Statement Considering the influence of many characters in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, Clarisse has the most positive influence on Guy Montag, because she gets Guy to ask questions, challenges Guy to think independently, and educates Guy about the past.

Topic Sentence Tell the reader what your paragraph is about! Each topic sentence should connect back to the argument of your paper and include a prong (support) from your thesis statement.

Example: Educating Guy Montag about the past is one reason why Clarisse has the most positive influence on Guy. One of my 3 prongs mentioned in my thesis statement Argument/stance from my thesis statement

Context Give the reader a glimpse of what is happening in the novel (plot summary) shortly before your quotation.

Example: In many instances, Clarisse has the ability to think for herself and make other characters around her think for themselves. Early on in the novel, Clarisse suggests to Guy that firemen once served a different role in society. Plot summary

Quote Provide a quotation from the novel. This is your evidence. Ask yourself – is this quote evidence of what I’m trying to prove? (Clarisse has the greatest positive influence on Montag)

Direct quotation with page number in parentheses. Example: Clarisse states, “Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?”(Bradbury 8). Direct quotation with page number in parentheses.

Analysis Explain to the reader the importance of the quotation and how it supports your topic sentence. Analyze how this quotation shows positive influential qualities in Clarisse.

Shows Clarisse’s positive influence on Guy. Example: Clarisse’s ability to educate Guy about the past directly affects the way Guy looks at his own life. As a result of this, Guy is able to overcome his own ignorance and begin to really live his life. Shows Clarisse’s positive influence on Guy. Importance of quotation and supports topic sentence.

Concluding Sentence Wrap up the main idea of your paragraph (bring everything together). The concluding sentence should parallel your topic sentence and NOT introduce a new idea.

Example: By sharing her knowledge of the past, Clarisse proves that she has a positive influence on Guy Montag.

Example of a body paragraph Educating Guy Montag about the past is one reason why Clarisse has of the most positive influence on Guy. In many instances, Clarisse has the ability to think for herself and make other characters around her think for themselves. Early on in the novel, Clarisse suggests to Guy that firemen once served a different role in society. Clarisse states, “Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?” (8). Clarisse’s ability to educate Guy about the past directly affects the way Guy looks at his own life. As a result of this, Guy is able to overcome his own ignorance and begin to really live his life. By sharing her knowledge of the past, Clarisse proves that she has a positive influence on Guy Montag.